Phoenix News Desk

3rd Annual Organ Trail Bike Ride

3rd Annual Organ Trail Bike Ride

3rd Annual Organ Trail: PEDAL FOR LIFE TO HOST ITS THIRD ANNUAL ORGAN TRAIL RIDE

Iowa City, IA – On Saturday, May 20, beginning at 8 a.m. south of Iowa City, Pedal for Life will host its third annual Organ Trail bike ride, a yearly event that promotes the importance of organ donation in Iowa. The event will have all the standard trappings of a cycling event: FIVE scenic routes, comfort stations with water, trail mix and fruit. At home base, there will be live music from Iowa City band Extra Credit Project, a popular food truck, and a beer tent. But what sets this ride apart from other years is the reason it’s being hosted.

Morgan Ebel is 26 years old and a resident of North Liberty. Due to an unusual disease, Morgan received a kidney from her father when she was 11 years old. Now that kidney is beginning to fail. Morgan has yet to make the “formal” list of waiting recipients, but the future of her health is inevitable. She will need a kidney transplant.

Also of note is a five year old boy laying in a hospital bed at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. He is in need of a heart and being kept alive with machines. This child is on the formal list due to the severity of his situation. Morgan will make that list as her functions decline. These are just two faces, two names in our community that represent the need for organ donation and how much of an impact becoming an organ donor can make in the lives of others.

Our mission for this year’s Pedal For Life event is to highlight these stories to help make the importance of organ donation more real. People who attend the event will have an opportunity to meet and talk with Morgan and her family face to face. With your support, we believe we can help share her story and encourage others to better understand the immediacy and importance of this cause, which impacts over 120,000 Americans every year.

Please note: this year Pedal for Life is also offering a grand prize to the largest team that registers for the race. The largest group will be awarded a FREE bus trip to and from Exile Brewing in Des Moines for a private tour and a private meal. This award is good for up to 25 people and the date can be negotiated upon award.

If you have any questions or would like to set up an interview time with me or Morgan and her family, please feel free to contact me at the information provided at the top. I have also provided additional information about the event and our organization below.

Thank you for your consideration and help in sharing this important story!

Organ Trail is an annual bike ride that is organized by Pedal for Life. Learn more about Pedal for Life at https://pedalforlife.org. The Organ Trail is made possible with the support of McGrath Auto, Exile Brewing, Watts Realty, Long Protective Products, Hawkeye Barber, Foster Appliance, The Red Vespa, Hy-Vee, Sugar Bottom Bikes, Hills Bank, Active Endeavors, Lucky’s Food, Big 10 Rentals and Bobbers Grill.

ABOUT PEDAL FOR LIFE

120,000 and Counting…

There are currently over 120,000 Americans of all ages that are patiently awaiting an organ transplant. These transplants range in variety and can improve and even save their lives; all they need is a donor. Pedal for Life is a non-profit organization that hosts annual cycling events to draw attention to this issue and encourage people who are not currently registered organ donors to reconsider their decision. Pedal for Life also uses these events as a way to draw attention to those who are currently in need and to remember individuals who have made this tremendous sacrifice, and in so doing, changed the lives of another person.